With high ceilings, the ideal placement depends on your layout, but designers generally recommend hanging rods at the ceiling line or about one-third of the way down between the top of the window and the ceiling. This prevents an awkward gap and avoids making the curtains look detached from the windows.
Installing high ceiling curtains requires ceiling-mounted tracks or extra-long rods to handle heavy fabric weight and create a dramatic, elongating effect. The most critical step is safety—using heavy-duty ladders or scaffolding to secure brackets deep into ceiling joists and ensuring your curtains clear the floor.
Curtain trends in 2026 are shifting from purely functional covers to architectural statement pieces. The top looks emphasize rich, natural textures, layered depth, warm neutral and earth-toned palettes, and smart home integration to bring quiet luxury and character to interior spaces.
Hanging your drapery at ceiling level maximizes the light that shines through your window and it makes the room feel larger because the walls look taller. This works well in a small space, but may not be ideal in a room that is already too large.
Layered Curtains
While heavy curtains are the answer to a room in need of some privacy, they can feel a little stuffy, often preventing light from gently filtering through during the daytime. This is where the ever-popular window treatment trend comes into play: the layered curtain.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated. "Avoid overly ornate valances, which can feel dated and heavy," says interior designer Danielle Chiprut. "They can feel at odds with today's preference for light, airy interiors."
Thankfully, Stewart was quick to ease our curtain concerns. She says, “They're beautiful, I don't have anything against them, I just don't live with them… I like to look outside. Every window [in my home] looks out to something nice, and it's just all open to the view.”
The most classic and common of all methods of hanging drapery, a rod pocket is a sewn-in pocket, or casing, at the top of a drapery panel that easily slips over a rod and conceals it. Drapery panels hung this way bunch nicely and have a simple, casual look.
9-foot ceilings are considered the modern standard for new construction and are widely preferred for their airy, open feel. However, anything above the historical standard of 8 feet is generally categorized as a higher ceiling, with true "high" or luxury ceilings starting at 10 feet and above.
Not Measuring Correctly. One of the most common mistakes people make when hanging curtains is not measuring correctly. It's important to measure the width of your window and the height from the top of the window to where you want your curtains to fall.
Some of Stewart's homes utilize interior blinds for light regulation and privacy. Others feature windows framed by exterior shutters, operable versions of which can also be used for light control, ventilation and privacy.
LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
Curtain trends are leaning heavily into cozy, warm, and expressive aesthetics. Designers are moving away from stark whites and icy grays in favor of warm neutrals, bold earthy tones, and rich jewel shades.
For most homes, placing sheer curtains closest to the window and blockout curtains behind provides the best balance of light, privacy, and visual appeal.
For formal living or dining areas, longer curtains may be more suitable, while shorter curtains could work well in specific areas, like windows above your kitchen cabinets or sink. For your bedroom, you want to create a sense of comfort and cosiness, so we would recommend floor-length curtains to help achieve this.
In luxury real estate, a ceiling height of 10 to 12 feet is the accepted baseline for main living areas. While standard homes feature 8- to 9-foot ceilings, luxury properties utilize 10 feet+ and dramatic volumes reaching 12 to 14+ feet to deliver a highly sought-after sense of airiness, grandeur, and architectural sophistication.
For 9-foot (108-inch) ceilings, the ideal curtain length is typically 96 inches or 108 inches, depending on how high you mount your curtain rod.
Popcorn ceilings don't kill a deal—but removing them almost always adds perceived value, especially in higher-end or updated homes. Buyers read them as “hasn't been updated yet.”
Switch out your single curtain rod for a double rod. Then add a set of sheers closest to the window. For the front rod, hang heavier drapes made of polyester, velvet, silk or chenille. Curtains with a light filtering liner also feel thicker and heavier, so they hang nicely and feel more expensive.
The most popular styles are Grommet (or Eyelet) and Rod Pocket.
The golden rule of hanging curtains is to go high and wide. Mount rods closer to the ceiling than the window frame, and extend them well past the sides. This tricks the eye into perceiving taller ceilings and larger, grander windows, instantly elevating your space.
Martha Stewart recently went on the In Bed with Paige DeSorbo Amazon livestream and dropped a hot take about how often she swaps her bedding. Stewart revealed that she has her sheets changed every two to three days.
Replace traditional window drapes with modern alternatives like window films (for a sleek, frosted privacy look), interior plantation shutters (for timeless elegance and light control), or woven wood and Roman shades (for texture and a soft, tailored fold).
Martha Stewart, 83, has nothing to hide. She's always been unabashedly candid about her life and career, including her divorce and her 2005 stint in prison for insider trading. And now, the lifestyle guru is opening up about being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease vitiligo for the very first time.